Waco sees hotel boom as more developers invest in area

December 24, 2018

WACO, Texas (AP) — Waco’s hotel market is booming as developers plan hundreds of new lodging rooms in the city, but some question whether the area is being overbuilt.

Officials with the Waco Convention Center estimate that nearly 1,300 hotel rooms could become available in the next three years, the Waco Tribune-Herald reported. Developers announced a $35 million Embassy Suites project last week, with construction to begin next year.

“That was an exciting announcement,” said Carla Pendergraft, the convention center’s marketing director. “With Embassy Suites, the Hilton, the Courtyard by Marriott and the three hotels planned across the river, we are in an excellent position to move to that next level of convention and meeting business.”

It’ll also bring more visitors to the Cameron Park Zoo, the Dr Pepper Museum and HGTV “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Market at the Silos and restaurant , which draws tens of thousands of visitors to Waco every week, according to Pendergraft.

KB Hotels LLC Developer Kenny Bhakta, the owner of Hotel Indigo downtown, is planning three four-story hotels around the area. The nearly $22 million project is scheduled to start early next year and finish in 2022. The plans call for about 360 hotel rooms spread out among three brands, including Holiday Inn Express, Cambria Suites and Even Hotel.